Virtual Machine Hangs when Attaching an ISO Image Located in the Service Console Directory with Mismanaged Samba Mounts

Products

• VMware vSphere ESXi

Issue/Introduction

I mounted a directory with an ISO file from a virtual machine to the service console of ESX Server using SMB. When I try to attach that ISO back to the virtual machine that is hosting the Samba mount, the virtual machine freezes. What is wrong?

Environment

VMware ESX Server 2.5.x
VMware ESX Server 2.1.x
VMware ESX Server 2.0.x

Resolution

The virtual machine freezes because this mounting procedure creates a deadlock between the virtual machine and the service console. You cannot mount an ISO from within an SMB-mapped directory on the service console back to the same virtual machine that is hosting the mount.